Why Your Doctor Should Be Your First Call To Handle Your Asthma

TIP! It is vital that neither you, nor anyone else, smoke around a child with asthma. There’s a long list of environmental asthma triggers, and secondhand smoke is at the top of it.

Asthma can be an uncontrollable disease if it’s not checked. Asthma attacks can cause serious health problems, and even death. It is important to consult with physicians, though there are additional things you can do to help your own situation. The following paragraphs contain many easy ideas that you can employ to manage your asthma and reclaim your life.

TIP! If you are an asthma sufferer, it is crucial that you don’t smoke. Smoking is bad for everyone, but it’s particularly dangerous for an asthma sufferer, as it cuts off vital oxygen to the lungs.

Avoid the things that trigger your asthma. For some people, this can be pollen or other allergy triggers. For others, physical activity can irritate them. Figure out what sets off your asthma so you can avoid it.

TIP! There are medications that can unknowingly cause asthma-like symptoms. Examples of medications that may contribute to asthma are aspirin and other NSAIDs.

Some medications are known to cause asthma symptoms. Among these medications are aspirin and other NSAIDs. Some medications can cause your asthma to be worse such as beta blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease. Let your doctor know about your asthma and what prescriptions you’re taking.

TIP! If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you should avoid smoking or even being in the presence of smokers. When you inhale smoke, especially in close quarters, lung functioning is decreased, and it can trigger an attack.

If you are experiencing a moderately severe attack, try to first exhale completely. Breathe out aggressively, as hard as you can. You have to force the air out. Inhale in a series of three, or three shallow breaths and one deep breath. After your lungs are filled with air, forcefully exhale again. This will create a rhythm and will help you be aware of the way you are breathing. It also pushes the air out of your lungs, so that more air can come in. If you cough or produce sputum, don’t worry. Just remain focused on your objective, which is to regain a normal rate of breathing.

Social Worker

TIP! Make sure you are aware of what triggers your asthma so you can avoid it or prepare properly. Common asthma triggers include pollen, smoke or dander.

Talk to a social worker if you do not have health insurance and need medication for your asthma. It is important that you are able to afford your asthma medications, so a social worker may be able to find you a clinic or hospital that offers your medication at little to no cost.

TIP! Avoid pillows with feathers if you have asthma. Pillow feathers force the lungs to work harder and can exacerbate asthma problems.

Think about getting a home dehumidifier if you have asthma. A dehumidifier will reduce attacks by taking extra humidity and, by extension, dust mites and other debris out of your air. Dehumidifiers eliminate your home’s humidity, leaving dry air.

TIP! Keep all your regularly scheduled asthma appointments, regardless of how you are feeling. Flare-ups can occur at any time; plus, your doctor may have a new medication that he or she can offer you that will make your treatment safer and more effective.

Keep your home free of dust and other triggers, especially where the person who suffers from asthma sleeps. Keep food consumption to the kitchen and the dining room, and never allow anyone to smoke in the house. If you clean with any harsh chemicals or bleach, make sure to ventilate thoroughly afterwards.

TIP! Join a support group, online or in “real life”, to find help from your peers. Asthma, especially the more severe forms, cause many problems that interfere with the quality of life and present many challenges.

You may have to take more asthma medicine if you suffer from seasonal hay fever or catch a cold. A lot of illnesses can cause your asthma to flare up very badly, resulting in the necessity to increase asthma treatment. It is possible your doctor will want to add additional therapies to your treatment program until you are back on your feet.

TIP! The more humid your home is, the easier it is for mildew and mold to grow. You can get asthma attacks because of these substances.

Mildew and mold grow best in a home with high humidity. Both of these allergens can be contributing factors in asthma attacks. Therefore, it is important to maintain a dry home. When you are using a heater in winter time, you can run a dehumidifier for help controlling humidity. In the summer, running your air conditioner will allow you to keep your humidity down.

TIP! Be sure you understand how to use your asthma medication, especially emergency medication. Asthma is usually treated with an everyday medication that is sometimes supplemented with an emergency treatment, like an inhaler.

Asthma is an uncurable disease, but that doesn’t mean that the symptoms are permanent and can’t go away. However, just like most things in life, overcoming your asthma symptoms takes time and effort. If you follow these easy tips, you’ll find that your symptoms will get better over time and you’ll be able to enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.

3 years ago